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L488 SWM

1993 Saab 900

White Petrol 1985cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires20 Dec 2026
Tests37 (19 pass, 18 fail)
Pass rate51.4%

Mileage

194,171 mi
Last recorded194,171 miles
Recorded on8 Dec 2025
Typical for 1993 Saab 900128,045 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Saab
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Finance
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationL488 SWM
MakeSaab
Model900
Year1993
ColourWhite
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,985cc

All premium checks include

50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

19 pass 18 fail
Pass 8 Dec 2025 194,171 miles

Offside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement end bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Fail 3 Dec 2025 194,171 miles

Nearside Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (6.1.7 (g) (ii))

Seat belt buckle missing both rear (7.1.2 (d))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement end bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 11 Dec 2024 190,180 miles
Fail 9 Dec 2024 190,179 miles

Nearside Front Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Offside Rear Floor not fully secure (6.2.4 (a) (i))

Pass 14 Dec 2023 185,484 miles

Nearside Front Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced jacking point (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive shock absorber upper mounting (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing on outer sidewall (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Fail 12 Dec 2023 185,484 miles

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))

Front Brakes imbalanced across an axle (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases silencer (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced jacking point (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive shock absorber upper mounting (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing on outer sidewall (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Windscreen wiper blade defective rubber slightly split (3.4 (b) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Pass 13 Dec 2022 181,617 miles
Fail 6 Dec 2022 181,617 miles

Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced boot floor (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Windscreen washer jets misaligned and not providing sufficient fluid to the windscreen (3.5 (a))

Nearside Front Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced rear of wheel arch (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced rear of wheel arch (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 17 Dec 2021 178,265 miles
Fail 10 Dec 2021 178,264 miles

Nearside Side repeater not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Registration plate lamp does not illuminate simultaneously with the position lamps (4.7.2 (a))

Pass 21 Dec 2020 176,134 miles

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

boot floor corroded

Fail 14 Dec 2020 176,133 miles

Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced both front jacking points (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn coil spring lower mounting plate bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength in inner wheel arch (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Offside Windscreen washer jets misaligned and not providing sufficient fluid to the windscreen (3.5 (a))

Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength both rear jacking points (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

boot floor corroded

Pass 2 Jul 2019 171,821 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Fail 21 Jun 2019 171,820 miles

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Position lamp slightly affected by the operation of another lamp (4.2.3 (c))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 4 Jul 2018 168,488 miles
Pass 26 Jun 2017 164,351 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Nearside Lower Front suspension ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear position lamp(s) slightly affected by the operation of another lamp (1.1.A.3f)

Oil leak ()

Fail 26 Jun 2017 164,351 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Nearside Lower Front suspension ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Side repeater not working (1.4.A.2c)

Offside Rear position lamp(s) slightly affected by the operation of another lamp (1.1.A.3f)

Oil leak ()

Pass 28 Jun 2016 160,211 miles
Fail 28 Jun 2016 160,211 miles

Nearside Front Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)

Nearside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Nearside Rear Brake hose leaking (3.6.A.1)

Nearside Side repeater not working (1.4.A.2c)

Pass 21 Jul 2014 156,514 miles

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Fail 21 Jul 2014 156,512 miles

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (7.3.D.3)

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Offside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Pass 23 Jul 2013 152,809 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Fail 22 Jul 2013 152,809 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive (7.3.D.4)

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter damaged to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc (2.5.C.1a)

Nearside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Offside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Rear fog lamp tell tale not working (1.3.1b)

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Pass 20 Jul 2012 148,135 miles

Nearside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Offside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Fail 17 Jul 2012 148,135 miles

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Side repeater not working (1.4.A.2c)

Offside Front Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (3.6.B.4e)

Nearside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Offside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Pass 26 Jul 2011 142,952 miles

Offside Front Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage (2.3.3b)

nearside rear bump stop missing

Fail 22 Jul 2011 142,948 miles

Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off (1.4.B.1f)

Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on (1.4.B.1f)

Hazard warning switch faulty (1.4.B.1d)

Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Front Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage (2.3.3b)

nearside rear bump stop missing

Pass 30 Jul 2010 136,559 miles
Fail 29 Jul 2010 136,553 miles

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (7.3.D.3)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

Pass 22 Jul 2009 128,184 miles
Fail 22 Jul 2009 128,184 miles

Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7) DANGEROUS

Offside Front front brake grabbing slightly (3.7.A.2b)

Pass 28 Jul 2008 121,770 miles
Fail 21 Jul 2008 121,768 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade insecure (8.2.2)

Offside Front Windscreen wiper blade insecure (8.2.2)

Rear Exhaust mounting missing (7.1.1b)

Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

Offside Front Anti-roll bar rubber mounting deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Pass 24 Jul 2007 116,575 miles
Fail 19 Jul 2007 116,575 miles

Emissions not tested (7.0)

Offside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush bonding deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Side repeater not working (1.4.A.2c)

Pass 24 Jul 2006 110,842 miles
Fail 24 Jul 2006 110,842 miles

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (7.3.D.3)

Offside Front Side repeater not working (1.4.A.2c)

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2) DANGEROUS

Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

o/s/r tyer starting to perish/cracking

one section in center of high level brake lamp not working

How Reliable is the Saab 900?

Based on 358,142 MOT tests across 40,566 vehicles.

67.7%
Pass Rate
3,962
Miles/Year
39
Year Lifespan
40,566
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 16,771
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 14,261
Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded 13,034
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases 11,409
position lamp(s) not working 11,155
Full Saab 900 reliability report

Don't risk it. Know before you buy.

Not all vehicle check providers are the same. Some don't offer a data guarantee, which means if their information is wrong, you're on your own. Every CarVerify report is backed by a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

L488 SWM is a 1993 Saab 900 in White with a 1,985cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 37 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 51.4%.

Across all 1993 Saab 900 models, the average MOT pass rate is 67.8% with a typical mileage of 128,045 miles. This particular vehicle has a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

The most common reason a Saab 900 fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 16,771 recorded failures. If you're considering buying L488 SWM, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Saab 900 typically stays on UK roads for around 39 years. At 33 years old, this Saab 900 is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of L488 SWM?

You can check the full history of L488 SWM by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was L488 SWM registered?

L488 SWM is a 1993 Saab 900, first registered on 11 November 1993.

Is L488 SWM safe to buy?

The MOT history for L488 SWM shows 37 tests with a 51.4% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does L488 SWM have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on L488 SWM. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.